$1,047,073Average Value$486Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Old Town is defined by its waterfront properties and views
The water defines Old Town in Tacoma. If you’re not getting a view of Commencement Bay off Puget Sound, you’re not getting Old Town. “A lot of the houses, and I mean a lot of the houses, have water views,” says Marguerite Mattingly, who sells homes with MacGregor & Forbes, LLC and has spent the past 35 years as a Realtor in and around Old Town. “That’s one reason people go there. It’s not just the streets and houses. Part of the whole neighborhood is the water. It’s a big part of everybody’s lives.”
Historical Craftsmans and modern builds at a higher price point
This old lumber town is built on a hill. There’s one major street that goes from the freeway right up to the very place where Tacoma was born. “That’s where people who worked on the waterfront lived,” Mattingly says. Present-day Old Town stretches up and down the hills along narrow streets lined mostly with craftsman-styled homes that harken back to the earliest parts of the century past. Newly constructed houses are more modernly styled. “You still have fairly big lots where the sawmill bosses lived and big houses on them. The smaller houses belonged to the workers back when people didn’t have a lot,” Mattingly explains.
Generations beyond its humble origins, the cost of owning a home in Old Town has come a long way. The median price for a home here is around $1 million. “And it goes up into the 2 million range depending on the view and the size of the house,” Mattingly says. “Some of the houses sit in a way that they have a 180-degree view of the water.” That sort of view will demand a higher price as well as the footage for houses, some as large at 6,000 square feet. Houses here under $600,000 are harder to find.
Students are zoned for higher-ranked public schools
Old Town is in the Tacoma School District, which Niche rates B-minus and ranks the sixth most diverse school district out of 247 throughout the state. Students attend Lowell Elementary School, Mason Middle School and Stadium High School, which rank B-plus, B and A-minus respectively.
Outdoor sights and sport activities at Wright Park
Old Town has a few parks of its own in the neighborhood. Chances are, however, when locals want a substantial park experience close to home, they’re headed over to Wright Park, a vast green space with sports courts, playgrounds, a picnic area and a trail. It has a pond and bowling club too.
Dining along the waterfront with big-box stores nearby
For a good meal, there are restaurants all along the waterfront. The Spar is an Old Town favorite that’s been around as long as anyone can remember. “It has a view of the water from 30th street, which is the main street. That’s where lots and lots of people go,” Mattingly says. “They don’t have a big name plastered along the building. People just know it’s there.” When they’re not dining on the waterfront, you might catch people shopping in nearby Proctor at Safeway or Metropolitan Market. Or they might go to Stadium Thriftway.
Easy driving commutes with light rail access and general walkability
Getting to those places will require a little driving. There’s some new light rail near as well. But most people walk about, bike and roller skate in this place which resembles a postcard come to life. It’s a place that has sailboat races on Tuesdays during the summer that neighbors watch together from one another’s homes. “There’s the Christmas parade, the opening of boat season parade when you go to your neighbor's house, and everybody watches. And there’s a Fourth of July parade,” Mattingly says. If you move to Old Town, you should plan to become one with the town. Matting explains, “This isn’t a ‘I live here, and I don’t care who my neighbors are’ place. When you come to Old Town, you should expect to know your neighbors.”
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Old Town neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Old Town Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old Town, Tacoma sell after 32 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Town, Tacoma over the last 12 months is $880,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Exceptional Old Town residence, meticulously updated and thoughtfully maintained throughout current ownership. Highlights include rich Brazilian hardwood floors, a chef’s kitchen featuring a Wolf 6-burner gas range, Sub-Zero refrigerator, walk-in pantry, and custom maple cabinetry.Generous dining area flows to a 900 SF deck w panoramic Commencement Bay views. Five well-appointed bedrooms include
Experience breathtaking water views from this stunning condo, ideally located near Ruston, Old Town Tacoma & all local amenities. Enjoy picturesque sights of Puget Sound and Commencement Bay from your home. Explore the vibrant waterfront with its scenic trails, trendy dining options, & eclectic shopping right at your doorstep. Nestled among parks, this charming 2-bedroom, 1.75-bath condominium
PERFECT LOCATION in OLD TOWN! Sweeping VIEWS of Olympics, Bay, Brown's Point & Beyond! Unparalleled Opportunity for anyone looking to capitalize on this early century Craftsman Charmer. Ideal location where you can wake up to majestic views of Puget Sounds most beautiful scenery. Roll out of bed & waltz down the street to coffee shops, restaurants, parks & the bustling waterfront. Formerly a
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
